Closed variable-volume container coolable to rapidly solidify water therein

Abstract

A container includes a closed variable-volume container body, and a central stem secured in the container body. The central stem generally extends along the axis of the container body and has a plurality of branches generally extending radially outwardly from its full length. When the container body is filled with water and cooled, the central stem serves as a core on which ice deposits so that the temperature at which the water begins to solidify is raised.

I claim: 
     
       1. A container comprising: a container body having a longitudinal axis, said container body being filled with water;   a central stem secured in said container body, said central stem extending generally along the axis of said container body and serving as a core on which ice deposits when the water in the container body is cooled whereby a temperature at which said water begins to solidify is raised; and   a plurality of branches extending generally radially outwardly from said central stem in a brush-like manner whereby the water in said container can initially solidify on said branches when said container body is cooled.   
     
     
       2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container body includes an opening formed in an end thereof, and a plug sealing said opening of said container body, said central stem being secured to an inenr end of said plug and extending toward the other end of said container body. 
     
     
       3. The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central stem is made of metal having high heat conductivity. 
     
     
       4. The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central stem extends from said plug to a position adjacent to the other end of said container body. 
     
     
       5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container body is elongated and has an annular groove in its middle portion so that water can rapidly solidify into ice in said container body. 
     
     
       6. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container body has at least one bellows-like portion which can extend and retract, whereby, said container body is of a variable-volume. 
     
     
       7. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container is used in an ice bunker for an ice storage air conditioning system and said container body contains one of ice, water and a combination of ice and water, said container further including a plug for sealing said container body. 
     
     
       8. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said branches are rod shaped and extend at a nonperpendicular angle from said central stem. 
     
     
       9. The container as claimed in claim 7 wherein said rod shaped branches are solid. 
     
     
       10. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central stem is sealed whereby water fails to flow therethrough during use. 
     
     
       11. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central stem is solid whereby water fails to flow therethrough during use. 
     
     
       12. The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plug seals said container body during use such that the water is held therein.